Storm kills Ga. woman taking shelter in drain pipe

ATLANTA (AP) — Authorities say violent storms in Georgia killed an 83-year-old woman whose body was washed into a creek after she tried to take shelter in a drainage pipe.

Alpharetta police spokesman George Gordon says the body of Patricia Barnette was found Saturday in a creek more than 100 yards from her home north of Atlanta. He says the woman's husband reported her missing Friday night as tornado-spawning storms pounded northern Georgia.

More than 35 people have been killed around the country in the severe weather outbreak that began Friday.

Gordon told The Associated Press that family members say Barnette was afraid to take shelter in her home because it had no basement. She had previously told relatives she would seek shelter in the drain pipe that empties into the creek where authorities found her body.